She had grown up normal. Her parents were still together, of course most peoples are, they lived in a two story house with her brother. They were picture perfect. Her dad worked for the government and made good money. They went on family vacations every year. Last year, hawaii. The year before that, Disney. The only thing that wasn't picture perfect was that her phrase never showed up. She didn't have one. She's never heard of someone not having a phrase so she hid it. Her parents didn't know. Her brother didn't know. God, her best friend, Johnni, didn't know.
"Denver!! Johnni!! Your mom's here!" my mother, Via, called up the stairs while wiping her floured hands on her apron. Johnni rolled her eyes and clicked her phone off while sitting up.
"I don't wanna go home," she whispers to me. I giggle and poke her side.
"Come on- go say hi to Lewis for me!" I smile weakly. Lewis, her soulmate, was my best friend but since they got together we've drifted apart. I mean I shouldn't be upset, it's his soulmate! But, what if I don't have one? What about me? I sigh out loud and Johnni looks sideways at me.
"It's nothing, I swear." Johnni raised her eyebrows. She finishes tying her shoelace as we hear Jamie, my younger brother, stomping up the stairs. He barges in my room.
"Denver, get your butt downstairs. Johnni's mom is here and mom made me pause my game to get you so now we're gonna lose! It's your fault. Get. down. Stairs." With that he slams my door and we hear my mother yell his full name.
"Jameson Alexander Ryley. Tell me you did not slam that door." My mother continues to yell at him but I tune her out. Johnni looks up at me from the floor and grabs her backpack.
"Unfortunately, I really gotta go." I nod and head out the door first. When we get down stairs I hug her mom.
"Julie! It's good to see you." I smile and pull away from the hug.
"Good to see you too, Denni." She ruffles my hair and pulls her own daughter into a side hug. "Aaa. Long time no see huh?" She grabs Johnni's backpack of clothes and says goodbye to me and my mother. Johnni hugs me again and promises she'll text me. I know she won't. Lewis is coming over. I smile and nod. She heads out the door and I slid the chain into place and look back at my mom.
"Okay. You're sad. Cookies?" She wipes her brow and leaves a streak of flour on her forehead. I shake my head.
"I'm really alright, mom." I migrate into the living room with Jamie. I sit next to him and grab a xbox 360 controller.
"Jamie? Can I play," I attempt to poke his side and he dodges my finger. "Denni!!" He whines. "You're gonna ruin my score!" I roll my eyes and set the controller down. I wander into the kitchen with my parents. My dad, Oscar, is munching on the cookies my mom baked this morning and my mom is cleaning the kitchen. My life to an outsider would seem so perfect. I grab a cookie, and with my mouth full, I tell my parents not to bother me cuz I'm gonna do homework. They nod and continue eating cookies. I head upstairs to my room and close my door quietly. I check my phone seeing messages from pretty much everyone but Johnni. I answer my other friends and send Johnni a text. I don't expect a reply. I slip into jeans, a hoodie, and tie my vans tightly. I sneak downstairs. My mom is cooking again, do we have enough room for this in the fridge? My dads in the office and Jamie's still sucked into the fortnite or whatever. I dart to the garage. When I shut the garage door I let out a sigh. My board is tucked under the edge of the work bench. I grab it and open the garage. I just need to think. I just need to breathe.
YOU ARE READING
Touched Bare
Novela JuvenilWhen you're born everyone has a phrase written on their wrist. Their left wrist. Only you can see it. This phrase is the first thing your soulmate says to you. Sometimes people don't have a phrase. Sometimes your phrase disappears or changes. There...
